FEBRUARY 20, 2026 — The number of scam victims continues to rise, according to Rolando DS. San Luis, regional director of National Telecommunications Commission Region IV-A.

San Luis revealed that cybercriminals are now using more sophisticated tools, particularly an IMSI catcher, a device capable of mimicking legitimate cellular towers. Because mobile phones automatically connect to the strongest available signal, scammers exploit this behavior by broadcasting a stronger signal than nearby cell sites. Once a phone connects, attackers can send fraudulent text messages containing malicious links designed to trick users into providing personal information.

Authorities warned that victims often do not realize their phones have connected to a fake tower, making the method especially dangerous. The fraudulent messages may appear legitimate — sometimes imitating banks, delivery services, or government agencies — increasing the likelihood that users will click links and disclose sensitive data.

The development highlights a shift in cybercrime: scams are no longer limited to deceptive messaging but now involve manipulation of communication infrastructure itself. This means safety depends not only on personal vigilance but also on technological safeguards, regulation, and public awareness.

As communication technology advances, criminals evolve alongside it. The challenge now is whether protection measures and user education can keep pace with increasingly technical threats. A single tap on a convincing message can compromise financial security, identity, and privacy within seconds. If our phones automatically trust the strongest signal, how can ordinary users truly know when they are already connected to a scam? (Larawan mula sa: BRIGADA Batangas / Facebook)